Park Place, Annapolis
In this month’s Real Estates, we decided to stray from our usual theme of profiling a style of architecture and instead we wanted to take a closer look at the architectural ideas behind the urban condominium. Luxury apartment buildings can be found throughout the Chesapeake Bay region, but we will be focusing on properties in Annapolis, Baltimore, Rockville, and Washington, DC.
Living in one of these cosmopolitan cities certainly has its perks, but how do architects lure suburbanites out of their single-family homes? “We look to provide functional spaces that are programmatically complete, so all current lifestyle requirements are met.We do this by adding a wine cellar, media room, and spaces like these to provide the same sort of options that are customary for suburban residents,” explains Jay Brown, AIA, of Levin Brown & Associates, Inc. in Owings Mills, Maryland.
When building a condominium in the city, architects try to identify and complement cues in the surrounding environment. In Baltimore and Annapolis, one of the defining characteristics to plan for is the waterfront views and in Washington, DC, the historical building materials would be something to consider. “Materials are very specific to this region . . . like brick. In many cases we are trying to respond to the surrounding area so the architecture is compatible,” says Brown.
Another factor in considering urban condo living is the amenities that are usually provided with most luxury buildings. These would include spas, concierge service, underground parking, and adjacent restaurants. The convenience of urban living is undeniable and gives residents a simplicity that is lost in the daily, weekly and sometimes yearly tasks of suburbanites, like mowing the lawn, driving miles to go out to dinner, or the routine maintenance of keeping up the home.
Location Comparison of Urban Condos
Washington, DC
This Washington, DC penthouse, built in 2008, has three bedrooms, three full and one half baths, and a total square footage of approximately 4,400. It is an active listing with an asking price of $4,231,000.* Listing Agent: Michele Topel/Urban Pace. (202-306-3201)
Ritz Carlton, Washington D.C.
Washington, DC
This Washington, DC penthouse in the Ritz Carlton, built in 2000, has three bedrooms, three full and one half baths, and a total square footage of approximately 3,220. It sold in February 2009 for $2,900,000, $95,000 under the asking price. Listing Agent: Jonathan Taylor/TTR Sotheby’s International Realty. (202-276-3344)
Canton Cove, Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland
This Baltimore condo in Canton Cove, built in 1985, has three bedrooms, three full and one half baths, and a total square footage of approximately 3,531. It is an active listing with an asking price of $1,750,000.* Listing Agent: Cindy Conklin/Yerman, Witman, Gaines & Conklin Realty. (410-727-0606)
Rockville, Maryland
This Rockville condo in The Wisconsin, built in 1991, has three bedrooms, three full and one half baths, and a total square footage of approximately 2,326. It is an active listing with an asking price of $899,000.* Listing Agent: Marc Luger/The Luger & Teitelbaum Team/Weichert Realtors. (301-468-1600)
Annapolis, MD
This Annapolis condo in Park Place, built in 2006, has three bedrooms, two full and one half baths, and a total square footage of approximately 1,756. It is an active listing with an asking price of $859,900. Listing Agent: Bonnie Parks/Annapolis Realty. (410-280-5600)
*The status of all listings was current at the time of printing.
